Goku didn't know which feeling was stronger at the moment – the feeling of confusion over what was happening and who these other Saiyans were, or the feeling of indignation over his fight with Vegeta being interrupted. As he stood there with the teen's hand pressed firmly against his chest, he wanted to resume his fight. Vegeta was busy at the moment and Goku wasn't trying to attack, but knowing this teen would stop him if he tried was irritating.

With his eyes twitching after wondering what the other boy could be telling Vegeta, Goku snapped his gaze to the teen boy right in front of him whose concentration seemed fixed on the other two as well. The super saiyan youth didn't just look familiar – he looked very familiar. When that sensation of familiarity washed over Goku, the younger Saiyan's teal eyes darted to meet his.

"Don't I," Goku pressed his finger to his chin and narrowed his eyes at the shaggy blonde long hair and familiar worrisome grimace in front of him, "know you from somewhere?"

The boy's mouth moved to speak before the words finally came out. "N-no! You've never met me before. That's…that's the truth."

Goku's eyes narrowed. "Whoever you are, you have no right to step in. You interrupted my fight with Vegeta."

"Yeah," he rubbed his head with a glance towards the other two Saiyans, "I'm sure you're disappointed, but that's over now."

"Over?"

The teen's eyes bulged. "Yeah! Look, you and Vegeta have more important things to worry about now."

Goku crossed his arms and frowned. "Since the two of you already took care of him, I think we can-"

"Not him."

Goku gasped. The sudden severity of the others' stare was alarming after how flustered he had been just earlier. Goku could tell that whatever else these guys had in mind had to be serious. He couldn't take it lightly, and if Dr. Gero wasn't their biggest concern, whatever else these guys knew had to be incredible. His fight with Vegeta could wait. For now.

"Dr. Gero didn't time travel from Earth - he traveled from space, like we did. In our time, Earth is already gone. Dr. Gero was nothing compared to what's coming."

Goku raised his brows. "What's coming?"

The younger man smirked. "It's another being, much more powerful than Dr. Gero – more powerful than you can even imagine right now."

Goku felt his heart begin to race. He was sure before that being a Super Saiyan had to be the ultimate goal for power, but already he could tell there were levels beyond that, and not just a little bit. He wanted to know how much further he could go. He almost wanted to test his strength against the young man in front of him right at that moment.

"What I'm about to tell you," the teen said, "is news from the future. A warning, really."

Goku smirked. He was sure if this was from so far in the future, this couldn't be that big of a threat. He'd have plenty of time to prepare and make himself stronger before this threat would come along. But he was willing to listen, to prepare himself for this new enemy.

"This fight will be really exciting for you, Go…ku," the teen winced, causing Goku to quirk a brow, "but it won't happen if you can't keep peace with Vegeta for the time being. You two need to keep your distance for now, train, and in a few years, you'll be ready."

"Ready for what? Who?"

"Majin Buu." The boy's eyes narrowed into a glare. "We were all at a tournament, getting ready for some friendly matches when this wizard showed up-"

"Wizard?" Goku huffed. "You're tellin' me a wizard destroyed the Earth? We couldn't fight him?"

"This wizard manipulated your power, Goku, to release Majin Buu. Majin Buu is a monster, much more powerful than you. Even at that time in the future, he was too much for you to handle."

"What? No way!"

"Yes." The boy impressed a glare upon Goku. "You were killed by him. Almost everyone was, and those who weren't, well they died when he blew up the Earth. That monster is still out there in our time, destroying more of the universe with no one to stop him. That's why Dr. Gero worked so hard to come back here. It's why we've worked so hard to come back here. Without Bulma's help, we never would've made it back here to warn you, so don't let this warning go to waste."

Goku blinked. "Bulma survived?"

The boy smiled. "Who do you think built the time machine?"

Goku pointed across the field, towards the other boy still having a heated discussion with Vegeta. "And who's that?"

"That's-" the boy shook his head, "he's my friend. That's all you need to know."

Goku laughed and placed his hands on his hips. "I can't know a couple of strong guys who survived somethin' that killed even me? I wanna meet this guy."

"Wait!"

Goku levitated quickly, smirking to himself as he realized he caught the boy offguard. When he took off towards Vegeta and the other kid, he was surprised to realize that his reason for traveling that way had changed. It wasn't that he had completely lost interest in his fight with Vegeta, but for now it was obvious that these two were even stronger than Vegeta, and Goku wanted to see what kind of power they had.

"Wait, okay!" The Super Saiyan boy flew alongside Goku when he was halfway across the field. "We'll show you something. Both you and Vegeta should see this anyways."

"Hey!" The indignant voice echoed from the valley below just as Goku and the boy touched ground side by side. "What are you doing over here?!"

The other boy was obviously addressing the kid, but Goku frowned back at him all the same. There was something Goku didn't like about that kid already. Whatever he'd said to Vegeta, it was clear that Vegeta was still wary of these two. Vegeta's eyes remained trained on both of them, hardly even resting on Goku. Goku was surprised that his proximity wasn't putting Vegeta on edge, but he suspected that what they'd just been told by the teens might've changed Vegeta's feelings about their situation. Maybe their battle wasn't going to reach a conclusion.

The boy hissed to the other under his breath. "We need to show them."

The boy by Vegeta's side gasped, before looking at Goku and Vegeta, and then back to his friend. "Okay. I guess this is a better time than any."

"Hold it!" Vegeta blocked the path of the young man walking away. "What are you two up to?"

"Let them go, Vegeta." Goku cast Vegeta a glare. "I want to see what they're going to do."

"Kakarot!" Vegeta put a stilling hand on the young man's shoulder when he tried to pass again. "How do we know they won't take us out like they did that blasted android?"

Goku frowned. "Android?"

As his eyes darted back and forth between the faces of the two suspicious youths, he came to the realization that they were keeping a lot of secrets for people supposedly on their side. They even refused to share their names. And Goku could not only see, but could feel the familiarity from the both of them, though from the one who'd held him back earlier, it was much stronger.

The long-haired young super saiyan cocked a grin. "What's the matter, Vegeta?"

The other boy batted Vegeta's hand away. "You worried we might actually be that much stronger than you?"

When his hand was flung to his side from the rough handling of the boy, Vegeta growled back at the teens. "Of course not! I've seen what you can do."

The teens exchanged a glance and spoke in unison, "Not everything."

As the long-haired boy passed, he nudged Goku with an elbow. "You'll like this."

Goku watched the boys go their separate ways, before stopping when they were just a few paces from one another. As they both stood there, facing Goku and Vegeta, Goku looked at Vegeta with a sigh. The other Saiyan looked irritated about all of this, but Goku felt otherwise – he could feel his excitement building. He didn't even know what they were doing, but seeing how powerful both young Super Saiyans already were, he could only imagine that this was going to be exciting.

"I think we should trust them, Vegeta." Goku said, rousing an unamused grunt from his rival. "They came all this way to warn us. I don't think they're going to do anything to harm us."

As the boys gave each other a nod and extended their arms firmly in opposite directions, Goku cast a glance at the others still watching from the distance. His eyes met Gohan's worrisome gaze and for an instant, he felt his son's worry. If these two were planning on doing them any harm, the others might be killed as well. At the very least, Gohan would be left once again without a father.

Goku almost wondered if they'd all be better off that way. Sometimes it felt like his existence just brought unnecessary trouble to everyone around him. If these kids looking intently at Goku and Vegeta weren't really there to help them, Goku could face whatever consequences were coming to him. But then, he couldn't ignore his gut telling him he didn't have anything to fear from them.

"Watch closely," the boy to Vegeta's side narrowed his eyes at Vegeta, "both of you!"

Goku focused his gaze on the strange pose the boys took as they prepared for a joint effort to show them something. His brows rose in surprise as the super saiyan teens approached each other with their heels pressed together, calling out, "fu-"

When their arms swung around, Goku gnawed his bottom lip, absorbing this like he'd absorbed every technique he'd ever witnessed before, even though this one was striking him as something silly. It reminded him of when he met the Ginyu Force.

"-sion," the boys once again spoke in unison as they their knees were uplifted in juxtaposed positions from their arms, which once again came around to meet in the middle.

"-ha!"

When their fingertips touched, Goku's eyes widened. A light was emanating from that point of contact, so bright and blinding that Goku had to shield his eyes. He could feel a surge of power pulse past him as Vegeta audibly grunted at the efforts of maintaining his footing in the wake of that amazing force. The light seemed to slowly dissipate in subtle flashes until Goku hesitantly opened his eyes. What he saw when he opened them was beyond comprehension. Rather than the two teens standing there with a new transformation or amazing power-up, there was one young man, from whom Goku could still feel both of their energies.

It was them.

"H-how is this possible?!" Vegeta shouted.

The new teen from the future chuckled and rubbed his nose. "Were you both watching closely? I hope so. I'm the fusion of the other two. What they just did is a fusion dance."

"Fusion dance?"

Vegeta scoffed. "It certainly looked like a dance. What a disgraceful pose for warriors."

"Disgraceful?" The fusion raised a brow and extended his hand aimed at something past Goku and Vegeta's shoulders. "Does this look disgraceful to you?"

Before Goku had even seen what the strange youth was doing, an explosion sounded from behind him. His eyes bulged as he let out a gasp and spun around to witness the rocks ricocheting off the destroyed mass of blasted mountainous rock and the balls of fire flying through the air. The power he felt from that blast was amazing. He'd never felt anything like that. And when his gaze shot back to the boy, he was amazed to see that the boy looked like he'd hardly put any effort into it.

"I have both of their power, combined."

The boy suddenly appeared right in front of Vegeta, making the saiyan stumble backwards and Goku utter a choked sound from between his barely parted lips. The kid wasn't lying. His power…was massive.

"Now, you can see why you two need to work together. You're going to have to do this, reach this level, or Buu will kill everyone and destroy the Earth. Those two came back here to prevent history from repeating itself. Even joined in this form, Goku, you couldn't defeat Buu."

"What? I did that with Vegeta?"

The fused boy cast Vegeta a strange look. Goku furrowed his brows at Vegeta, who looked back at the younger Saiyan with a look of understanding. Goku didn't know what that was about, but he knew he was missing something.

"Not Vegeta. Gohan. But I'm telling you, it won't work."

Goku glanced at Gohan, who like the others all moving in agitation, appeared mystified by what they were witnessing, as well as impatient with their wait.

"You two need to practice these moves. Memorize them so you can use the technique when the time comes. It'll be years before Buu arrives, so you don't want to forget how to perform the fusion."

Goku opened his mouth to ask a question. He wanted to know more about what happened with him and Gohan in their future, but the boy cut him off.

"And remember, both of your powers have to be at the same level, or it won't work. Your movements have to be precise."

Vegeta crossed his arms. "I never agreed to this."

"I can't make you agree." The boy scowled at Vegeta. "But if you choose not to, this Earth and every planet like it will die. We know you two can kill Buu and prevent your universe from turning into the mess ours has become, but that's not going to happen if you kill one another before then."

"If that's true, why couldn't me and Gohan do it?"

The boys' eyes widened, before flickering with doubt. "It's…complicated."

"What makes you think uniting with Kakarot is the only way I can beat him?"

"No one can win alone, Vegeta. You'll learn that soon enough."

"What are you going on abou-"

"Hey, you!" With a gasp of realization, Goku shot his finger in the fused boy's direction. "You say this Majin Buu is still alive in your time?"

"Yes."

"Then isn't Bulma in danger as long as you're here?"

The boy clenched his jaw. "We're always in danger. There's no getting away from Buu. She's lying low for now, until we get back."

"Then you'd better get back soon. Tell Bulma I said hi."

The fused teen looked towards the others, smiling when his eyes met Bulma. "Yeah. I'll tell her, Goku." The boy snapped his gaze back to Goku and Vegeta. "Your fight is over today. Whatever pent-up vengeance or anger you hold towards one another, save it for Majin Buu. Live your lives in peace for now. Train for the battle that's coming, but don't go after each other. Just keep your distance for the next few years if that's what you have to do."

Goku pursed his lips and shot a sidelong glance at Vegeta. He didn't like leaving a battle unfinished. He really didn't like not knowing who would've won. But if everything this kid, or these kids from the future claimed was true, he guessed he didn't really have a reason to hate Vegeta.

He'd exacted his vengeance on Raditz already. Frieza had met his well-deserved end. Goku was with his family now, and his friends, who were safe and alive. Like Piccolo, Vegeta never did kill anyone nor do any serious damage that was unforgiveable.

Goku supposed he could put his pursuit of vengeance to rest with Vegeta. Maybe letting go and focusing on the future would help Goku resettle his life on Earth. With a glance towards the others as the teen from the future flew to join them up there, Goku swallowed hard. Just seeing his son and his friends, old and new up there, worrying about him and gathering around the powerful stranger from the future, Goku recalled what he was really fighting for all along. With a sigh, both resigned and decisive, Goku powered down from his Super Saiyan transformation.

"What are you doing?"

Goku smiled at Vegeta. "Just what he said. We're done, Vegeta."

Vegeta raised his fist and deepened his scowl. "We're not done until I say we're done."

Unflinching, Goku shook his head. "Don't you want to fight this Majin Buu? I know I do."

"With you?"

"Yeah." Goku rubbed his head. "That part's a little hard to swallow, isn't it?"

"You think?"

Goku smiled to himself and turned his gaze on the teen landing by the others in the distance. "We have time. I'm sure we'll find some other way of handlin' this Buu without needin' to do that."

"Good." Vegeta growled. "Because you're insane if you think I'm joining with you."

Goku chuckled. He couldn't help being amused by Vegeta's attitude. Same old Vegeta. Vegeta was probably never going to change, but if these kids from the future thought he could live on Earth without causing any problems, Goku had to give them the benefit of the doubt. They were from the future, after all. Besides, Goku knew Vegeta would see things his way.

Eventually.

When he landed, Gotenks let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. To see Trunks' mother so young, and see all of the others again, especially Goten's big brother, it was hard to process. He couldn't tell them who he was. If he slipped to someone, both Goten and Trunks' existence could be in danger. But Gotenks had to tell them there was promise for their future, that he meant them no harm, and he had something important to convey to Trunks' mother.

"Wow, uh…" Tien stepped forward, cocking his head as he looked Gotenks up and down, "you…really did quite a trick there. I've multiplied myself, but never-"

"I won't exist for much longer." When Bulma gasped, Gotenks huffed in amusement. "I mean, the fusion will end soon. The other two will be here again when it happens. It doesn't last long. That's why those guys are gonna have to use it wisely."

As Gotenks threw a thumb over his shoulder to indicate Goku and Vegeta, Krillin's eyes bulged. "Those guys?"

Gotenks nodded. "I'm counting on you all to make sure they don't screw it up."

Dodoria scoffed, while Piccolo crossed his arms and stepped forward. "That's a tall order. You expect us to control those two power-hungry morons?"

Gotenks smirked. "If anyone can do it, you can, Piccolo. Am I right, Gohan?"

Gohan blinked. "H-how do you know all of our names? Who are you?"

"Well right now I'm-"

Gotenks' eyes bulged when he realized he'd almost given Goten and Trunks away, telling Gohan the names of the two individuals from whom he formed. Somehow talking to a younger Gohan had him letting his guard down. He had to be more careful.

"Whoever you are," Bulma huffed, "you're a Super Saiyan and you wiped out Dr. Gero. Thanks for that."

Gotenks smiled. He had been prepared, given Bulma's initially domineering approach, for some sort of tongue-lashing. When she turned it around and thanked him, he was relieved beyond belief.

"Too bad you can't take out Vegeta." Bulma smiled. "If Goku didn't need him for this fusion thing-"

"He's more important than that." Gotenks narrowed his eyes at Bulma, who blinked back at him. "He's going to live at Capsule Corp for now. Do me a favor and make sure he's taking care of himself, will you, Bulma?"

Bulma blinked again. "Taking care of himself?"

Gotenks smiled. "You'll know what I mean when the time comes."

"Hey, uh…whoever you are." Gohan raised a hand hesitantly before tapping his fingers together. "When is all of this supposed to happen? Piccolo told us the gist of what you were – or what the other two were saying over there, but-"

"If Goku and Vegeta do as I asked," Gotenks said, "hopefully your future will turn out much differently than mine. None of you will die in your future. But you'll be mostly grown by the time this happens, Gohan. Don't worry about anything bad happening now. You should have a long time of peace. Grow up and be a scholar like you always wanted."

"Really?"

Yamcha chuckled at Gohan's beaming expression. "That's great, Gohan. This kid deserves a break."

Piccolo smiled down at Gohan. "He sure does."

"I want to-" Gotenks froze.

He could feel it, coming on so suddenly that before he knew it, he was gone.

"Hey." Krillin rubbed his fists into his eyes at the blurring, double-vision sensation happening. "What the-"

Tien gasped. "You split in two again!"

"Dammit," Dodoria growled and shook his head violently, "stop freaking me out, Kid! Kids!"

When Krillin looked Dodoria's way, he could see that Dodoria's eyes were bugging out probably worse than his were. But now, standing in front of them were two boys, the same super Saiyans who had initially arrived to fight Dr. Gero.

Piccolo rolled his eyes at Dodoria. "I'm sure you've seen worse than this in space. Quit overreacting."

The teens stared at one another, patting themselves down as they processed their recent separation. Krillin frowned considerately at them. Even though they were Super Saiyans and the blonde hair and teal eyes were throwing Krillin off, the kid with long hair had a striking resemblance to someone he knew.

"So," the long-haired teen said, "it looks like it's time for us to head back."

"Yeah." The other teen cast a smile at Bulma with fondness in his eyes that didn't seem fitting for the situation, but Krillin shrugged it off. "You all should prepare and train, just in case. Several years from now, you're going to have to be ready for the worst-case scenario."

"Yeah." Krillin chuckled humorlessly. "Like what kind of cocky jerk this fusion will be when Vegeta actually manages to work with Goku."

"No." The boy shook his head, smiling. "Things change over time, Krillin. You'll see he's not so bad, after a while."

"Goodbye, everyone." The other boy waved, smiling. "Take care!"

"G-good luck in your time!" Gohan shouted as both teens levitated into the air.

The long-haired teen hesitated a moment, his gaze fixed on Gohan before he darted away. Krillin gasped as he watched them zoom away in that golden aura, over the edge of a cliff to somewhere below. He didn't know why they had to leave in such a hurry. He still had so many questions.

"Where are they going, you guys?"

Krillin glanced back at Bulma's awe-struck expression before looking intently towards that horizon again. When the whoosh of something approaching rang through the air, he balked. It was only a second later that a large aircraft-like machine shot over the ledge of that cliff, blasting into the air. Krillin's eyes followed upwards until he was craning his neck to see the vehicle high in the sky and the two boys waving through the domed window, returned to their base forms. The feeling of familiarity struck again when that black-haired teen smiled and waved, but it was fleeting, as the boys, machine and all, disappeared in a flash.

"They're-" Piccolo grunted, "they're gone!"

"Just like that?" Yamcha said. "I wonder what the hurry was."

"Uh, guys." Krillin grimaced, turning around to see the two who'd been nearly forgotten behind him. "I'm more worried about what's going to happen here and now."

As everyone turned to follow him, Krillin watched the two very still far-off Saiyans with bated breath. They didn't seem to be doing anything but standing beside each other. But once Krillin realized that Goku's hair was black again, and that Super Saiyan glow was slowly receding from Vegeta, he realized the fight had to be over. Those kids actually did it! They managed to end the fight before anyone had to die. Not that Krillin was all that relieved about Vegeta surviving. He was almost disappointed to know that contemptible Saiyan was going to continue inhabiting the Earth.

"Looks like there's nothing to worry about, Krillin." Gohan said. "Dad's powered down."

"That is if Vegeta doesn't decide to attack Goku when his guard's down." Tien balled his fists and scowled towards the two Saiyans. "I'm not ready to let him out of my sight."

"Come on, guys," Bulma laughed, "you heard those guys. Vegeta needs us. He especially needs Goku. He's not going to kill him."

Yamcha blinked at Bulma. "How do you know that?"

"If there's anything I've learned about Vegeta during the time he's spent at Capsule Corporation so far," Bulma smugly raised her brows, "it's that he is completely and totally invested in himself. He wouldn't do anything that might endanger his own life."

Yamcha's elbow lightly prodded Krillin before a hushed voice entered his ears, "sounds like someone we know."

After Krillin chuckled, a little too loudly, he slapped his hands over his mouth under the suspicious glare of Bulma. Shaking his head frantically, he turned his gaze to Piccolo, relieved to hear the Namekian speaking up and saving him.

"Like usual, I'm not happy with this situation. But I feel there's no other choice beyond the obvious."

Dodoria frowned at Piccolo and folded his arms. "Training?"

"Right." Piccolo turned a wry smirk on Dodoria. "You heard those kids. After sinking as low as teaming up with Goku to collect the Dragon Balls and revive all of you for the sake of this planet's survival, I'm not going to sit back now and allow some wizard's conjured monster to be the cause of its destruction in the future."

"Hell." Dodoria huffed. "Is it always this way with you people? What is it about this planet? In the Planet Trade, we fought because we went looking for it. This kind of stuff didn't just keep falling in our laps all the time."

As if on cue, a familiar ki drew near. Krillin looked up to see Goku coming down feet-first for a landing. He stepped aside, giving his friend a wide berth for landing, before taking a cautious glance over his shoulder for Vegeta's presence. But Vegeta was no longer in sight.

When Goku's boots touched down on the rocky ledge, he chuckled. "This is how it's always been, Dodoria. Why? You ain't likin' Earth?"

"Goku," Piccolo snapped before Dodoria could speak, "do you and Vegeta really think you can tolerate being on the same planet without fighting for the next few years?"

As Goku shrugged nonchalantly, Bulma looked around. "Where is Vegeta, anyway?"

"He left." Goku frowned and raised his eyes pensively towards the sky. "I think he went to train, but it's probably a good thing he left. If he stuck around here, he probably would've started fighting me again."

Krillin chuckled. "Vegeta's actually listening to those kids from the future?"

He found it hard to believe, but then maybe Bulma was right. Maybe Vegeta was willing to back off a little if it was required for his own survival. Something about his attitude after talking to that kid seemed different. Krillin suspected the kid had really gotten to him. It would surprise Krillin if just the prospect of being killed in the future by a stronger enemy could make Vegeta accept the idea of living alongside Goku without trying to kill him. But stranger things had happened.

"Seems like it." Yamcha shrugged, drawing Krillin from his thoughts. "When he took off, it looked like he was heading back to Capsule Corp."

"Ooh!" Bulma growled and stomped her foot. "Great. Now I have to babysit him? Why can't he live somewhere else on Earth?"

"If you wanted him to go away, Bulma," Yamcha chuckled, "you shouldn't have built that gravity machine. Aside from food, it seems to be Vegeta's favorite thing on the planet."

"You saw that?" Bulma smiled. "Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now. Goku, I guess you'll want to use it, too?"

"Nah." Goku chuckled and waved his hand in refusal. "No way am I gettin' near where Vegeta's training. But those kids said he'll be fine at Capsule Corp, so I ain't worried about you guys."

Gohan beamed at his father. "So you're going to stay home and train?"

"That's right!" Goku ruffled Gohan's hair. "I'm trainin' right here on Mt. Paozu. It'll be a few years before this guy shows up, anyway. We need to rest some, too."

"You rest." Piccolo snorted. "I'm going to focus on my training."

"Hey, uh," Krillin scratched his head, "you guys think we'll know when this new threat's coming? I mean, I don't think those kids told us what he's going to look like or when to expect him exactly."

Gohan frowned. "They just said I'll be grown."

"Right." Tien said. "I'm sure if the threat is that serious, we'll know."

Goku smiled. "There's no way we're going to miss picking up on that kind of power."

"You're excited about this," Piccolo smiled, "aren't you, Goku?"

Goku smiled back. "Excited and scared, if I'm bein' honest."

Krillin frowned. "You should be scared."

The thoughts of the Earth being destroyed was a horrible expectation. And someone strong enough to require Goku and Vegeta combining their power, even after spending years training to be much stronger than Super Saiyans, just seemed like a horrifying enemy. Krillin wasn't sure he wanted to see this future come to fruition, but if anything, he'd take the future they had ahead of them rather than the one those teens lived through. In this timeline, he had a chance of surviving, hopefully marrying, moving on with his life.

Yamcha rubbed his chin. "Goku, do you really think Vegeta will fuse with you when the time comes?"

"Yamcha," Goku made a sour face, "I'm not sure I'm gonna want to do it."

"You two hard-headed Saiyans better get the idea through your thick skulls," Bulma shook her fist at Goku, "because if that's the only way to save the Earth, I am not dying again because of your stupidity!"

Goku blinked. "But you won't die anyway, Bulma. At least, you didn't in their future."

Bulma's mouth fell open. "Oh. Good."

"Still," Yamcha chuckled uneasily, "maybe it's an idea you should consider, Goku, you know? I mean, I don't want to die again."

Krillin shook his head and crossed his arms. "No way. It was painful enough the first time. And I'm not even married yet! My life can't end this way."

Goku clapped Krillin hard on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Krillin! You've still got plenty of time. I'm sure you'll get married before Buu even shows up."

Krillin blinked up at his tall friend. "You think so?"

"Sure." Goku nodded, before turning his gaze on Gohan. "But we'd better get home now and let Chi-Chi know we're all right before she starts throwin' a fit."

Gohan nodded fervently. "Right, Dad."

"Bulma, Yamcha," Goku nodded to each of his friends, "good luck at Capsule Corp. Vegeta can be a real handful."

Bulma blew a raspberry. "Tell me about it."

"Eh," Yamcha placed a hand on Bulma's arm, "I think we'll be fine. Give me a lift home, Bulma? I think I'll take a break from flying, and I don't want to leave Puar waiting much longer."

Tien and Chiaotzu exchanged a glance as Yamcha and Bulma turned for Bulma's Capsule plane. With a wordless nod, they levitated in preparation for taking off.

"Tien, Chiaotzu," Goku waved, "I look forward to seein' how strong you've gotten in a few years."

As Chiaotzu waved back, Tien smirked. "And I look forward to seeing how strong you've gotten. You too, Gohan."

"Dodoria, Piccolo," Goku cocked his head, "are you two comin' back to Mt. Paozu? Were you livin' there or somethin'?" He raised a brow at Gohan. "Or were ya just there for a visit?"

"We were waiting for you, Goku." Piccolo said.

"Though," Dodoria shrugged, "I don't have any other place to go really, and there was a matter of a taste competition you brought up."

Goku's eyes lit. "You mean-"

"He's been having cook-offs with Mom, Dad."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Goku beamed. "You're stayin' with us, Dodoria!"

Gohan smiled at Piccolo. "You too, Piccolo?"

Piccolo cast an uneasy glance at Goku. "I don't know about that, Gohan."

"Why not, Piccolo?" Goku said. "You can stay."

"What'll your wife have to say about that?"

"Oh."

"Yeah," Krillin chuckled, "not the wisest idea, Goku."

"I like living on my own anyways." Piccolo said before smiling down at Gohan. "But don't worry, Kid. I'll visit every once in a while."

"You will?"

"Someone needs to keep an eye on your training. And I'll always be there if you need me."

Krillin gulped at the challenging glare Goku set on Piccolo when their eyes met again. But fortunately, the mood was quickly uplifted when Piccolo turned his gaze to Gohan before turning to walk away.

Goku smiled at Krillin. "What are you goin' to do now, Krillin?"

Krillin shrugged. "Oh. I'll be training at Master Roshi's, of course. I can't believe it after all this time being dead with him, but I already miss the old guy."

Goku smiled fondly. "I bet. I've missed him, too."

"I bet you really missed all of us." Krillin frowned down at his feet. "It must've been hard for you, Goku, when we died."

When Krillin looked up to meet Goku's gaze again, Goku was staring back at Krillin. His eyes were void of that lightness Krillin was so used to seeing from his carefree friend. Just by that look on his face alone, Krillin knew how true his words were. Goku had suffered alone through trials Krillin would've never wanted to endure himself. It was a fate worse than the death that was brought upon Krillin and all the others. All that time, Goku was carrying himself through hardship and challenges, living without them.

"Yeah, Krillin." Goku sighed. "But I'm glad we're all back now."

As Goku smiled, Krillin felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Me, too."

"Good luck with your training, Krillin." Gohan seized Krillin in a quick, unexpected hug. "Say hi to Master Roshi and Turtle for us."

"Oh, yeah!" Goku chuckled sheepishly. "Tell Turtle I'm sorry about leavin' him that other time."

Krillin raised a brow. "Huh?"

Goku waved it off. "He'll know what I mean."

"Well," Krillin reached out to shake Goku's hand, "good luck, Goku. It looks like we're all counting on you again. And Vegeta."

Goku's wide-eyed gaze settled into a somber smile as he took Krillin's hand. "Don't worry, Krillin. I won't let you guys down this time."

"I know you won't."

When Goku released his hand, Krillin lifted it straight in the air. He waved it side to side as he watched Goku and Gohan levitate into the air, waving and smiling back at him. When they took off together in a haze of white aura with Dodoria taking off right behind them to head to Mt. Paozu, Krillin let out a heavy sigh. He was left alone, but only for a moment.

He was going back to Kame House, to be with Master Roshi and Turtle, like old times. He missed the old island. But seeing that no one had been living there for a while, he was going to have to stock up on some supplies before returning. With one last look around the devastated battleground of the wastelands, Krillin took off into the air and zoomed ahead. He waved as he passed Yamcha and Bulma in their plane, before diverting in another direction. The nearest city to Kame Island had a market with plenty of good food. He would just pick up a few things and head back to Master Roshi's to start his training.

Once he reached the store, Krillin couldn't help dwelling on the strange events that had happened recently. He was still adjusting to life in general, let alone the craziness that followed since he'd been back. He was still relieved and stunned that the fight between Goku and Vegeta was interrupted, and seemed to be placed on indefinite hiatus. But that was good. He could live with Vegeta being on the planet, he supposed, as long as Goku was around to keep him in check and as long as they knew Vegeta wasn't going to harm anyone. Krillin had to go along with Goku's trust in what those two teens had to say, unreasonable as it seemed. Something about Goku's optimism was contagious. In spite of a doomed Earth, a mad scientist so bent on revenge that he'd come to the past, and a wizard's monster bound to arise years in their future, Krillin didn't feel worried. He just felt determined to do his best, and make the most of his life in the meantime.

"Sir?"

While the man ahead of him stepped up to the counter to take his order, Krillin wrinkled his money pressed between his fingers. He was debating what meats and cheeses he wanted to order as his eyes drifted across the shiny glass display case. When the shine caught his eye, he tried to peer past the glare, but a moving reflection caught his eye. It wasn't just the reflection that caught his interest, but the appealing face that was reflecting back at him.

With a gasp, Krillin snapped his head to see her sliding past a counter loaded with fruits and vegetables. She had pin-straight blonde hair and the prettiest blue eyes he had ever seen. Surprisingly, the young man she was with had nearly identical eyes. Krillin gnawed his bottom lip as he witnessed her covertly rolling an apple into the bag slung over her shoulder, which was conveniently positioned just below the lip of the counter. Just as Krillin's eyes were widening at what he'd witnessed, she turned her eyes on him.

Krillin grumbled to himself, uncertain about what to do now that he'd been caught watching her. Of course, it was her who had been caught, but Krillin didn't feel that way, not when she turned on her heels and headed straight towards him. Krillin looked over his shoulder towards the deli counter, debating whether she was really heading for him or if that was just his imagination. Maybe she was heading for the deli to have a word with the butcher. Maybe she wanted to place an order. Maybe Krillin's knees were going to give out if she came another step closer.

"Hey." She huffed as her eyes narrowed at Krillin. "You want to tell me what you just saw?"

Krillin blurted the first thing that came to mind. "A beautiful woman shopping with her boyfriend."

The woman's eyes bulged before she scowled. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Oh?" Krillin chuckled and rubbed his head. "Well, uh, you and your-"

"Brother."

"You and your brother shop here often?"

A smirk slowly spread across her face. "Something like that."

"Oh," Krillin's voice wavered, even as he tried to keep it together, "me, too."

"Come on, Laz."

"Guess I'll see you around then." 'Laz' turned her gaze from her frowning brother in the doorway to the counter behind him. "You're up."

After releasing a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, Krillin turned to place his order. His mind was scrambled by the interaction he'd just had, but he was able to gather his thoughts enough to order some good food for the island. He was careful not to order too much food. After all, if they were well-stocked, he wouldn't have to leave the island again for more supplies for a good while.

And he wanted to do so again. Soon. He looked forward to seeing the mysterious, troublesome beauty. He hoped she'd be happy to see him again. Maybe Goku wasn't wrong. Goku was never the smartest guy, but he was never wrong about things like this either. If Krillin had to worry about aliens like Dodoria, Piccolo and Vegeta coexisting with him and the rest of humanity on Earth and more future threats to come, at least in the meantime, it was nice to have something pleasant to look forward to.

There would always be new enemies; that was unavoidable. But they could avoid looking to the future with pessimism, and Krillin knew if he could see a bright future ahead of them, the future of Earth wasn't doomed. He knew his best friend was excited about this fight in the future, one which wouldn't follow tragedy, wouldn't be tied to painful memories, and wouldn't be set in the name of avenging the deaths of his loved ones. As long as Goku had all of his friends to help and fight alongside him, Krillin knew he could rely on his best friend to protect them from Majin Buu and anyone else who came along to threaten the Earth.

End.

FINAL A/N: Ahhh, it's finally finished! First, just to address this chapter, for those of you who might not catch it: "Lazuli" is the name Eighteen had before becoming an android and in this timeline...she never became an android. And Lapis, or Seventeen, would use a nickname, so I hope that last scene wasn't jarring, but with it being a cameo for those two, there wasn't much room to expand on that.

This story is not going into the Majin Buu arc, because honestly this felt like a good place to end it. Things have fallen in line similar to the original story at this point, so the Majin Buu saga wasn't a story that needed to be told, as you readers know the characters and can put the pieces together how things would play out from here. Maybe if enough people want to read it, I could write it as a companion fic at some point, but I really don't feel it's necessary. The same could be said of the alternate timeline of Goten and Trunks' future.

To those of you who have read this thing from the day I started it in 2015 and stuck with it, thank you so much! Every chapter, I looked forward to reading your comments and expectations for the next chapters. The same goes for those of you who started later on but caught up and gave such consistent feedback. Luke, coronadomontes, Mangahero18, SaiyanPrince541, FutureShock, Hektols, Blake2020, daughterofrisingsun, you all commented on every or nearly every chapter and I really appreciate it.

I'd also like to thank Melissa98, Gokuu the Carrot, nancy103, Kyuubifan325, docfrodo2, hayabusa girl, Simgr101, Ryuko mongatari, Inperiosus, divineboss2000, Richardc269, LordCybot, Invader Cole, busisibeko1, and everyone else who reviewed, followed, or favorited this story. It ended up with quite a following by the end, and I'm so glad so many of you could enjoy it with me! I always wanted to know how the story could've gone if Raditz was able to take Goku with him, but I never imagined it was going to play out the way it ended in this story. It's been fun.